Pages

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Most of us know it is a Mexican holiday; some wrongly assume
it is Mexican Independence Day. That commemoration of the declaration of war
against Spanish colonial government in Mexico is celebrated on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo is actually the observance of a triumph in a
battle against France. My understanding is that when the Mexican government
claimed their country was too poor to pay outstanding debts to foreign
countries, the French decided that it would be an opportune time to carve out
their own claim in Mexico. War was declared, and troops were sent. Against the
odds, one small Mexican community managed to claim a victory over the French
armies at Puebla. This win bolstered the resistance movement among the Mexican
people, and after a lengthy, 6 year battle, France withdrew.

Oddly, aside from Puebla, where the famous battle occurred,
I am told that most of Mexico doesn’t actively celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is
just another day. Banks and schools are open, as it is not a federal holiday.

In the United States, we’ve never met a holiday we don’t
like to celebrate. Areas with a greater Mexican-American population host
festivals, parades, and parties for Cinco de Mayo which honor Mexican culture
and heritage. For much of rest of the nation the holiday is synonymous with “2
for 1” taco and margarita deals. While this is a more commercial and less
authentic observance of the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo, tacos and
margaritas are certainly delicious. I am on board.

Tostadas are open-faced crispy tacos, and throwing together Chicken Tostadas with Tomatillo Cream would be a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Shredded rotisserie chicken is tossed with smoked paprika for a grill-like flavor, piled over a creamy, but slightly spicy sauce, and topped with fresh salsa and cheese. If you can't find tostada shells, it only takes a minute to crisp a few corn tortillas in hot oil.